Liverpool tactical tweaks under new boss

Liverpool transition from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot could barely have felt more seamless.

Since swapping the German’s ‘heavy metal football’ for an apparently more measured approach, the Reds have won 19 out of their 23 games across all competitions, losing just once.

But how has Slot actually managed it? What has he changed? And what problems could lie ahead?

Look at the tactical tweaks Liverpool have made this season.

A hint of De Zerbi in Slot’s Liverpool?

In his first few interviews with the media, Slot spoke about how both Klopp and Pep Guardiola had influenced his ideas about football. However, it is clear to see that former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi has also had an impact.

De Zerbi’s teams became famous for their way of https://ufabet999.app playing through the opposition press, by asking their goalkeeper or central defenders to hold on to the ball and wait for their opponents to close them down before releasing a pass.

It is a risky approach, but one which is made easier with the skills of modern keepers like Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher.

There is a great deal of patience required on the part of the centre-backs too and, in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, Slot has two defenders who are comfortable on the ball and more than up for the challenge.

After 15 games in the league, the numbers show. That Liverpool are looking to circulate the ball more in their own defensive third.

Last season, the Reds averaged 117.2 passes per game in their defensive third according to Opta, whereas this term that figure has gone up to 133 passes. A small tweak and Liverpool look all the better for it.

Slot’s team are also attempting fewer shots in each match, down to 15.2 from 20.6 last season, which is perhaps another by-product of introducing a bit more control and conservatism into the system.

All of this is not to say that Liverpool do not still rely on transitions and a direct attack-led approach. Rather, the way they manufacture these advantageous scenarios for themselves has changed.